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Become a Master Composter

Seattle Tilth trains new Master Composter volunteers this spring.

Photo Credit: Seattle Tilth/MasterComposter

The average American throws away over 200 pounds of food every year.[1] When all of this food waste ends up in the landfill, it generates nearly one quarter of annual U.S  methane emissions in the U.S. (methane is a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide). Enter: Compost!  Composting  not only keeps food waste out of landfills, it also of converts food scraps into a product that is useful for gardening, landscaping, or house plants.

Now in its fourth decade, Seattle Tilth, in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities, offers the Master Composter / Soil Builder program to train community members to become compost educators.

A diverse team of community volunteers participates in 28 hours of classroom learning, hands-on practice and field trips. Learn how to compost while learning about soil science, natural yard care and recycling! Training includes eight sessions during four weeks starting on Tuesday, March 22 in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood (4649 Sunnyside Ave N).

After the training, Master Composters contribute 35 hours of volunteer outreach, teaching practical techniques to other community members. Volunteers work on projects of their own choosing – at schools, churches, community centers, businesses and community gardens.

Visit Seattle Tilth’s Master Composter page to learn more.

Photo Credit: Seattle Tilth/MasterComposter

[1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Global Food Losses and Food Waste. http://www.fao.org/ag/ags/ags-division/publications/publication/en/?dyna_fef%5Buid%5D=74045.